Discovering the Reserve

Astronomical activities for the public at the hearth of the Dark Sky Reserve are organized by Mont-Mégantic National Park.

Located at the base of Mont-Mégantic, ASTROLab is a centre for astronomical activities, where it is possible to participate to a guided tour during the day and discover the incredible mysteries of our Universe.

At the top of the mountain, Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic looks over the region’s magnificent scenery and opens its doors to the public to reveal the secret of its operations and the methods used to unravel the riddles of Space.

At night, access to the Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic is limited to university research scientists and the discovery of the starry sky is done through ASTROLab activities as well as a second observatory located at the top of the mountain, the Popular Observatory, both offering astronomy evenings to the public.

In certain summer nights, Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic exceptionally opens its doors to the public, during the Mont-Mégantic Popular Astronomy Festival. This 30 years tradition initiated by Bernard Malenfant, technician at the observatory and founding president of ASTROLab, offers visitors the privilege of looking at the sky though the Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic 1.6 metre telescope eyepiece, as well as the 61 cm Mont-Mégantic Popular Observatory telescope.

Mont-Mégantic National Park also organizes special evenings for observing the spectacular Perseids meteorite showers in August, with other activities as well as observation of the sky at ASTROLab and at the Popular Observatory. For more information on schedule and activities, go to astrolab.qc.ca

The territory of the Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve is accessible to all at all time, magnificent stars can be seen everywhere.